In November 2010, 66% of recent migrants and temporary residents were employed according to figures released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

Two thirds of recent migrants were employed as were 63% of temporary residents. Recent migrants from main English-speaking countries were more likely to be employed than those born in other countries (81% compared with 64%). About 10% of recent migrants who have had a job in Australia had their first job arranged prior to arrival in Australia, while 43% spent three months or less looking for their first job.

About one third (35%) of recent migrants reported experiencing difficulty finding their first job. The most common reason given for this was a lack of Australian work experiences or references (64%) followed by language difficulties (33%).

Of the recent migrants who have had a job since arrival, 70% had obtained a non-school qualification before arrival compared to 65% of recent migrants overall. Of recent migrants with a non-school qualification before arrival:

67% had obtained a Bachelor degree or higher before arrival; and

33% had their qualifications recognised in Australia.

Some 31% of recent migrants had obtained a non-school qualification since arrival.

Since 2001, approximately 1.4 million people aged 15 years or older on arrival have entered Australia – or around 8% of Australia's population aged 15 years and over. Of these, 51% were recent migrants and 34% were temporary residents. The remaining 15% were persons who were an Australian or New Zealand citizen on arrival, currently held New Zealand citizenship, were planning to stay in Australia less than 12 months, or had visa status not determined.

About 43% of recent migrants had obtained Australian citizenship since arriving in Australia while over half (55%) of temporary residents were students.

Further information can be found in Characteristics of Recent Migrants, November 2010 (cat. no. 6250.0).

Media notes:

Recent migrants are defined as people who were born overseas, arrived in Australia after 2000, were aged 15 years and over on arrival, were not an Australian or New Zealand citizen on arrival, do not currently hold New Zealand citizenship and have permanent Australian resident status.

Temporary residents are defined as people who were born overseas, arrived in Australia after 2000, were aged 15 years and over on arrival, were not an Australian or New Zealand citizen on arrival, do not currently hold New Zealand citizenship, do not have permanent Australian resident status and are planning to stay in Australia for 12 months or more.

When reporting ABS data, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (or ABS) must be attributed as the source.